Customer Reviews

All the Tea in China (Rollicking Regency Series #1)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The fact that this series is called "Rollicking Regency" has to be a sign of good things to come. Who doesn't love a good old fashioned regency romance? All the Tea in China is a good start to such a series. Great characters, mystery, intrigue, adventure, a bit of piracy, and of course some romance.

The first paragraph provides a good tasting of the adventure that is to come. "I can abide neither a liar nor a cheat but you may be wont to think me such while I here relate my little tale. Were I not your humble narrator, even now I would scarce believe it anything but mere fiction. I take pen to resolute hand to assure you that what I am about recount is truth, not the least of which involves heartbreak, joy, a Chinese translation of the Gospel according to St. Luke, and, oh yes, a rather large sword." The overall imagery of the story is wonderful- you feel as if you are on the ship sailing with Isabelle from London to Cape Town to China.

The interplay between Phineas and Isabelle is fun to watch. At their first meeting, Phineas comes upon Isabelle examining herself (a smudge on her dress) in a mirror. Being a typical, frustrating sort of male he says "unless your vision is poor, you will not find your image improved by pressing against a mirror. Though I'll not gainsay that many ladies oft believe it otherwise." lol- You can just see the trouble that is in the offing (and the steam coming out of Izzy's ears...)

Overall a great story that I look forward to reading more in the series. My only complaint is that the plot was a bit too predictable and the ending felt rushed. Other than that a wonderful read!

With its rich detail and saucy characters, All the Tea in China is fun romp around Cape Horn and into China. I loved the spunk of Isabella, the mystery of Phineas, and the allure of a country so distant from our own. Hats off to Jane Orcutt for such an enjoyable read!

Publicly slighted by her so called friends in English society in Oxford, Isabella Goodrich is so humiliated that stowing away with the livestock on a ship bound for China, is a preferred option!

Phineas Snowe, the mysterious missionary Isabella hopes to join evangelising the lost, is horrified when Isabella is found, delirious, weakened and in a very odorous state. He devises a plan to protect Isabella with every intention of hoisting her off the ship at the next port. Isabella's journey is filled with intrigue, swordplay, danger and language lessons but can she prove to Phineas that God's plan for her lies in the beauty of the Orient?

Jane Orcutt's final novel, published posthumously, is delightful and its description as a Rollicking Regency is perfect. Isabella is an endearing character, well educated yet naive, adept in swordplay but not in social scheming, funny and devoted. Jane has cleverly drawn Phineas, flawed and unappealing yet as his desire to serve the people of China and God is revealed, the reader is drawn to his passionate and caring heart. The dialogue is snappy and fun, the scenery and culture beautifully described and the message of love and forgiveness is gentle and reassuring. All The Tea in China will not disappoint but if you need a further reason to buy this wonderful book, all proceeds will be assisting Jane's husband and sons as they come to terms with the loss of Jane, a loving wife and mother and one very talented author.

Since there are so many reviews here telling people what the book is about I will refrain from doing so too.
I will say the book was very interesting and it held my interest throughout. The only problem I have with the book is that it leaves so many loose ends. Without trying to give away key aspects of the book I will say that it was disappointing to never hear if her family heard from her again or what happened to her friend on board the ship?
I felt as if the book was rushed in the end and and the author didn't want to bring everything to a close. In the meanwhile I feel rather disappointed that there were so many loose ends that leave you wondering what happened. I just read a review from someone else saying that the author has passed away and there will be no other books by her, so I suppose some questions are just left up to the imagination of the reader.

While quite enjoyable and well written, I found this book to be significantly less "Rollicking" than advertised. This certainly isn't a bad thing, but it is a little unfair to those who (like me) picked it up thinking it would be the ultimate in silly escapist fiction.

Initially, Orcutt presents a heroine whose ambition is to fulfill God's calling, which she believes will bring her adventure, excitement, and a chance to make a difference. She's got all the makings of a slightly over the top - but still good-hearted - romantic heroine, and I instantly fell in love with both her and her narrative voice. But partway through the story shifts focus. What starts out as a swashbuckling tale of high seas and exotic places shifts into a character-driven story about growth and the challenges of cultural clash and differences in morality. Both halves are exceedingly well done, but if you signed up for some pure rollicking fun... Well, this book will not satisfy a craving for an "and then they sailed off into the sunset towards their next great adventure, capes billowing in the wind and swords at the ready" type ending.

Instead it switches gears and the characters mature, asking us to find God's calling in slightly less epic things. It's very well done in this way. It's thoughtful, challenging, and puts characters in several tough situations where they have to remain Christian as they sort through the morally grey. In that way this novel is interesting and challenging.

But it's also a little less crazy, over-the top fun. Which is fine - I still enjoyed it - but it isn't exactly as advertised in my opinion.

Ok, I loved the cover and that is what drew me. I love sword play, etc. So I was a bit dissappointed with the book when there wasn't much use of the sword. Also, the main character has a plan.. has a desire to help and be of use as a missionary and it was dissappointing when in the end she didn't do any of that. Not that she didn't minister to those in need... but I have read much better fiction. It was an easy read, and if one doesn't want to become attached to the characters.. this one is great.. However I do like a little more depth to my reading. I would classify this as inspirational Chick Lit.

I had heard mixed reviews about this book, and was not sure if I wanted to read it. I finally started it and was pleasantly surprised at what a fun and interesting book it was! The entire story is told from the main character's view, Isabella. From her funny thoughts about certain situations to her way of telling the story, it drew me in. The characters are fun and interesting and what made it so good, was that each character what not what they first seemed. I liked that. The author seems to have done her research about China and is very detailed and I feel like I have learned something new. Even though this was the first book I have read by Jane Orcutt, she is an author I will definitely be looking for more from in the future!

Storyline:
Isabella is a young woman on the brink of becoming an "old maid". With no husband prospects in sight she decides to take fate into her own hands after meeting a missionary named Phineas Snowe at a party. She decides that God has given her several prompt signs, and that it is His will for her to go to China with Phineas to be a missionary. After asking permission to go with him and receiving a prompt "no" Isabella decides she will go anyway and stows away aboard his ship. What follows is a wonderful adventure even though Phineas and his situation is not what it first seems!

In 1814 Oxford, England, Lady Isabella Goodrich is bored with the only path a young unmarried female aristocrat can take. However, at a gala she meets Phineas Snowe of the London Missionary Society, who wants to see her famous Uncle Toby Fitzwater, Dean of Christ Church. Isabella thinks her calling is in missionary work under the tutelage of Phineas heading to China.

Her family tries to persuade her she is making a terrible error, but Isabella ignores their advice and sneaks onto the vessel taking Phineas to the Far East. When he finds her on board his ship, he is shocked and plans to dump her at the next safe port. However, instead he finds himself mentoring his stowaway as they journey by sea towards China.

The first Rollicking Regency inspirational romantic adventure is a terrific refreshing tale due in part to the locales and mostly the lead pairing. Whereas Phineas is an enigma to the heroine and readers, Isabella is a unique protagonist who believes missionary work to the less fortunate is her calling. Fans will appreciate the danger of such an endeavor in the early nineteenth century as many of the recipients find the White Man's burden arrogant and intrusive. Filled with twists, fabulous locations, and a romantic subplot between the two stars ALL THE TEA IN CHINA is a strong vivid historical.

Harriet Klausner

What fun....


....clever writing, witty Austen-esque dialogue, a great, sword-wielding heroine with humour and aplomb, strong and resourceful, and a somewhat disguised hero named Phineas ....

I loved the setting, the fact that it was set on a ship, the way the characters met, the historical accuracy, the beautiful descriptive tapestry and the fact in made me laugh ( and in the right places, thank you very much).

Smart and beguiling Christian fiction with more than a little spice

this was such a lovely book, really tender and romantic. it also includes a great deal of adventure and a lot of surprises. it kept me guessing until the end, there was no way to predict the plot. it also had a great deal of conversation, and not many boring descriptions. it also contained many pieces of information about China, chinese customs and people, which i found most interesting and even exciting. i loved it!!